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Getting error "java.lang.RuntimeException: default directory must be absolute"

Troubleshooting


Problem

Java won't run after fresh WebSphere Application server installation.  Even  running:

>java -version

gives error:

Exception in thread "Attach API initializer" java.lang.ExceptionInInitializerError
        at java.lang.J9VMInternals.ensureError(J9VMInternals.java:157)
        at java.lang.J9VMInternals.recordInitializationFailure(J9VMInternals.java:146)
        at java.nio.file.FileSystems$DefaultFileSystemHolder.getDefaultProvider(FileSystems.java:119)
        at java.nio.file.FileSystems$DefaultFileSystemHolder.access$000(FileSystems.java:100)
        at java.nio.file.FileSystems$DefaultFileSystemHolder$1.run(FileSystems.java:109)
        at java.nio.file.FileSystems$DefaultFileSystemHolder$1.run(FileSystems.java:107)
        at java.security.AccessController.doPrivileged(AccessController.java:691)
        at java.nio.file.FileSystems$DefaultFileSystemHolder.defaultFileSystem(FileSystems.java:107)
        at java.nio.file.FileSystems$DefaultFileSystemHolder.<clinit>(FileSystems.java:101)
        at java.nio.file.FileSystems.getDefault(FileSystems.java:187)
        at java.nio.file.Paths.get(Paths.java:95)
        at openj9.internal.tools.attach.target.IPC.checkOwnerAccessOnly(IPC.java:170)
        at openj9.internal.tools.attach.target.TargetDirectory.createMyDirectory(TargetDirectory.java:90)
        at openj9.internal.tools.attach.target.AttachHandler.createFiles(AttachHandler.java:199)
        at openj9.internal.tools.attach.target.AttachHandler.initialize(AttachHandler.java:296)
        at openj9.internal.tools.attach.target.AttachHandler.run(AttachHandler.java:229)
Caused by: java.lang.RuntimeException: default directory must be absolute
        at sun.nio.fs.UnixFileSystem.<init>(UnixFileSystem.java:67)
        at sun.nio.fs.AixFileSystem.<init>(AixFileSystem.java:55)
        at sun.nio.fs.AixFileSystemProvider.newFileSystem(AixFileSystemProvider.java:62)
        at sun.nio.fs.AixFileSystemProvider.newFileSystem(AixFileSystemProvider.java:55)
        at sun.nio.fs.UnixFileSystemProvider.<init>(UnixFileSystemProvider.java:68)
        at sun.nio.fs.AixFileSystemProvider.<init>(AixFileSystemProvider.java:57)
        at java.lang.J9VMInternals.newInstanceImpl(Native Method)
        at java.lang.Class.newInstance(Class.java:2108)
        at sun.nio.fs.DefaultFileSystemProvider.createProvider(DefaultFileSystemProvider.java:62)
        at sun.nio.fs.DefaultFileSystemProvider.create(DefaultFileSystemProvider.java:80)
        at sun.nio.fs.DefaultFileSystemProvider.<clinit>(DefaultFileSystemProvider.java:49)
        ... 14 more
        
 

Symptom

Cannot start WebSphere Application server,  not even java by itself. (i.e. via  "java -version")

Document Location

Worldwide


Operating System

AIX:All operating systems listed


[{"Type":"MASTER","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB77","label":"Automation Platform"},"Business Unit":{"code":"BU048","label":"IBM Software"},"Product":{"code":"SSEQTP","label":"WebSphere Application Server"},"ARM Category":[{"code":"a8m3p000000F7xdAAC","label":"WebSphere Application Server traditional-All Platforms"}],"ARM Case Number":"TS016307578","Platform":[{"code":"PF002","label":"AIX"}],"Version":"All Versions"}]

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Historical Number

TS008536183
TS016307578

Document Information

More support for:
WebSphere Application Server

Component:
WebSphere Application Server traditional-All Platforms

Software version:
All Versions

Operating system(s):
AIX

Document number:
7154798

Modified date:
03 March 2025

UID

ibm17154798

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